Apple’s going to allow sideloading of apps on to iOS but with lots of limitations.
The app developer has to be in the EU, the user has to be in the EU, they’ve got to have been an apple app developer for over 2 years, and to have over a million installs of your app. Plus a ton of other requirements…. This is the definition of malicious compliance: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malicious_compliance
https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/12/24098334/apple-ios-web-distribution-eu-app-store-changes
Prior to 2018, it was permitted by every developer with an Enterprise License which was $399. This is simply a power grab since they have had the tech and never was an issue of security prior.
The fact there is a double standard now is a failure of our antitrust legislation.